Maine Books

This out-of-print paperback is an absolute gem. I remember it
well--"Walter gets a stove" in which his 1920's wood-burning stove is stolen from his shack, and his neighbors take him "to town" to get a new one...I won't spoil the punch line on that one. Walter explaining how he learned to knit -- hilarious! And in "Walter gets a letter" the town council sends him an officious letter demanding that he clean up all the garbage in his yard. When his neighbor reads it to him (he can't read) Walter still doesn't understand their claim. He calmly explains the planned use of each item (junked cars, rusting farm equipment, a pile of scrap lumber, etc) in great detail. Finally, when she points out an undeniable pile of garbage described in great detail as a mound of old coffee grounds, apple peels, potato peels and so forth...he finally gets a
little bit indignant.

"That, Miss, is my Compost Heap!"

Based on a true story, The Late Loon is the picturebook story of a young loon that hatched two months late. Normally, loons learn how to catch fish and how to fly during the summer, so they can flock to the temperate seacoast for the winter. But the late loon, younger and weaker than its brethren, has less time to rise to the challenge. A human family watches the loon from afar, and a friendly beagle named Jasper intercedes at key moments in the loon's life, such as barking a warning when a bald eagle is about to attack. Ultimately, though, it is the loon's own responsibility to grow up, tough it through bad weather, and learn how to fly. Written and illustrated by "Foreward" magazine's environmental category award winner Dean Bennett, The Late Loon combines a touching story with beautiful, realistic artwork and is highly recommended.

Felon O'Reilly's story is very powerful and his translation of it into a lesson for all is genius. This book is a must read for everyone. His uncanny sense of humor makes this a true page turner.

Thirty years after its initial publication, Edward "Sandy" Ives' "Lawrence Doyle: the Farmer Poet of Prince Edward Island" remains the standard work on a folk poet whose writings were little known outside of his home region of eastern P.E.I. before this book's publication. Ives, who has also published standard works on two other Maritime Canadian folk poets (Larry Gorman of western P.E.I. and Joe Scott of New Brunswick) is recognized as the doyen of Eastern folklorists and his work here proves the point. Readers will quickly become embroiled in 19th P.E.I. political issues such as Confederationism, Reciprocity with the U.S.A. and out-migration in his treatment of Doyle's poem "Prince Edward Isle Adieu." The colour of local "Island" culture is richly revealed in his study of poems and songs addressed to the more limited audience of Eastern P.E.I. (such as "The Picnic at Groshaut" and "When Johnny Went Plowing for Kearnon"). More universal themes, such as the age-old conflict between the male and female of the species, are explored (delicately!) by Ives in his examination of "The Crooked Rib." It is Ives' almost unique ability to personalize this fascinating material, while giving it the thorough treatment of scientific historical/folkloric study, that sets him apart as a giant in his field. The book is emminently readable and will be a delight to the present generation who are 'meeting' Dr. Ives for the first time; be they folklorist, folk musicians, or home-sick Prince Edward Islanders.

As a man who doesn't read poetry on a regular basis, I still feel comfortable saying Licking the Spoon exudes a confidence that comes across to any reader, poetry fan or not.
Speaking with more serious poetry writers, the fact that Ms. DiMartino has both Sue Ellen Thompson and James Baker Hall endorsing Licking the Spoon serves as a testament to the quality of work within its' pages. I look forward to reading more of Ms. DiMartino's work in the future.

I read this book when it first came out. It's a lovely lesson in being aware. Ms. Grumbach's awareness is keen, her ability to connect the dots of her life is a gift. Her life as revealed in the bits she recalls throughout the day is a mirror to the meaning of life: Relationship, inspiration, quotidian moments, and the struggle to grow old well. I enjoyed the book so much I wrote to the author; she wrote back. I've read it over and over since the first time.

I was visiting Maine not too long ago and had a traveling emergency. I could not find my book that had direction to the Maine lighthouses. I usually keep it with my collection of AAA maps, but somehow I misplaced it. Now if this doesn't sound like all that much of an emergency to you, keep in mind that the Maine Coast can be deceiving. While it's true that most of the lighthouses are located off of Coastal Route 1, but off Coastal Route 1 can be about twenty miles of long, windy obscure roads identified by route numbers that don't make all that much sense to people not from Maine. One wrong turn could be mean an hour of unnecessary driving, and while the backloads of Maine can be scenic, the beauty can be monotonous if you're lost. A good book with directions is essential, even if you know the roads, which in general I do, but as I said getting lost is somewhat easy and places to get good direction are few. I needed a guide and selected THE LIGHTHOUSE COMPANION FOR MAINE for one reason. It was the only book available with directions.

I soon discovered I made a good choice. The book is easy to use. For one thing, the lighthouses are arranged alphabetically which gives it an advantage over most other resources which are arranged by location. Each lighthouse has a good color photograph, not an easy task for some of the lights, along with the story behind the light, and the directions are easy to follow and include a small map.

Maine is a lighthouse lover's paradise. Every conceivable form of lighthouse can be found in Maine, and a good number are accessible by car. THE LIGHTHOUSE COMPANION FOR MAINE helps anyone traveling to these lighthouses and can be a good resource for anyone planning a visit to the lighthouses of this state.

I may be biased, because it's about my family, but it is a wonderful story. It is so interesting, because in this day and age when we can have anything we want at a touch of a button, my Great Uncle and my Grandfather had a unique life and though it had it's ups and downs, I believe it made them the wonderful, caring people they are today.

I hope you'll read it. Enjoy!

Cynthia Wass-Shepard

I was taken back to times past, a different way of life.
Lila lived the life of a farm wife when people took time to talk and tell stories to each other. She observed the little things in life that so much of miss because we are so busy now. Her observations are quite beautiful.
Such a pleasure to read. The humor of the chicken loose in the kitchen....

Annette is a Patriot girl in 1783 New York. Her best friend is a Loyalist. The war is over but the British still haven't left New York. Still, Annette hopes and prays they will, and when that day comes, Annette is among the triumphant Americans that cheer.